Toronto Hells Angels member guilty of assault over stolen pot

Sean Michael Panting, 36, a full-patch member of the Toronto chapter of Hells Angels, outside Barrie court after pleading guilty to punching a man in the head and threatening “to put him to sleep” in October 2012 if he didn’t return stolen marijuana. (Tracy McLaughlin/Special to the Sun)

A member of the Hells Angels motorcycle club was convicted Friday of assaulting and threatening a man who stole five pounds of his friend’s marijuana.

Sean Michael Panting, 36, a full-patch member of the Toronto chapter of Hells Angels, stood before the judge in a suit and tie and pleaded guilty to punching a man in the head and threatening “to put him to sleep” in October 2012 if he didn’t return the drugs.

“This was a deliberate threat designed to intimidate him to comply, or else suffer enormous consequences,” Crown attorney Ted Carlton said in sentencing submissions.

Court heard the incident was triggered when Bracebridge men Mark Noblestork, 20 and Tristan Nichols, 21, broke into a Bracebridge home and stole the five pounds of marijuana from one of Panting’s friends.

Days later Panting approached Noblestork and punched him in the head three times, saying, “Bring back what you stole or tonight I’m gonna put you to sleep … do you know who you’re dealing with?”

The two men quickly reported the incident to police but omitted the part about stealing the marijuana.

The same day police called Panting and he turned himself in at the Bracebridge police station, wearing Hells Angels clothing and Hells Angels rings. Police later learned about the marijuana break-in during their investigation.

Initially Panting was charged with extortion and committing an offence for the benefit of a criminal organization but the charges were reduced and Panting agreed to plead guilty.

Toronto Hells Angels member guilty of assault over stolen pot

A member of the Hells Angels motorcycle club was convicted Friday of assaulting and threatening a man who stole five pounds of his friend’s marijuana.

Sean Michael Panting, 36, a full-patch member of the Toronto chapter of Hells Angels, stood before the judge in a suit and tie and pleaded guilty to punching a man in the head and threatening “to put him to sleep” in October 2012 if he didn’t return the drugs.

“This was a deliberate threat designed to intimidate him to comply, or else suffer enormous consequences,” Crown attorney Ted Carlton said in sentencing submissions.